Cross+Wise: Visions of a Walker By Henry Gruver

Transcription

1 Cross+Wise: Visions of a Walker By Henry Gruver Published by: Joyful Sound Ministries, Inc. P.O. Box 144 Woodbine, IA Printed by: Omaha Print 4700 F Street Omaha, NE Copyright: February, 1999 Revised and edited through 2008 All rights reserved 1

2 Table of Contents Forward Introduction Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Chapter 5: Chapter 6: Chapter 7: Chapter 8: Chapter 9: Chapter 10: Chapter 11: Chapter 12: Chapter 13: Chapter 14: Chapter 15: Chapter 16: Chapter 17: Chapter 18: Chapter 19: Chapter 20: Chapter 21: The Word of The Lord Let It Not Trouble thy Heart The Samurai Vision Vision: Dad s Appointment With Death Vision: The Power Of Travail Vision: In The Hands Of The Master Smelter Vision: In The Hands Of The Lord Vision: The Portland Earthquake America Goes To War Without God (The Prince Charles Vision) The Astoria Vision We Can Comfort Them Until Their Shepard Arrives Vision: Russian Invasion The Vision Of The Hand On The Clock The Siberian Exodus Vision A Heavenly Experience??Translated to Rome?? Vision: The Three Deeds Vision: Watch What I Will Do! The Grizzly Bear Dream and Interpretation The Sauna In Siberia Vision: The Great Storm George Washington s Vision A. C. Valdez s Vision

3 CROSS+Wise Visions of a Walker By Henry Gruver FORWARD Thursday, February 11, 1999 Revised February 11, 2003 Revised September, 2007 & 2008 Dear Reader, This manuscript was born through continuing calls for Henry s visions in a written format. Yes, it has been a long time in the making; but we believe that, Lord willing, before year s end this book will be in print and available. It is our prayer that this little book will be easily studied and referenced, and will be of help in your daily walk with the Lord. If you are a student of prophecy, it is our prayer that you will be blessed to have these dreams and visions in one volume. May the Spirit of the Lord bless you and strengthen you for the coming days, as Jesus walks among the churches, having the angels, or, the pastors, in His hand. (Revelation 1:19,20 2:1) Sincerely, and in the Love of Jesus, Henry and Judith Gruver Most scriptures are quoted from the Authorized King James Version; however, Judith has applied modern rules of punctuation and capitalized all pronouns referring to the Godhead. Emphasized portions are not part of the original text(s). References are given within the text(s) By Henry Gruver, with Judith Gruver September, 2007 Dear Reader, INTRODUCTION As you read the following dreams and visions that address a lifetime of God s dealings in my life, please ask yourself this question: How can I, personally, benefit from this book that I am reading? Cross+Wise Visions of a Walker covers 37 years of my life and has been a major influence on decisions I have made up to the present 65 years of age. One of the most important elements of my decision-making process has been to closely monitor my relationship with Jesus and with my natural and spiritual family. I have always highly respected the Church and watched its trends. Ultimately, our relationship with the Church will affect each one of us, as individuals, as families, as a nation, and the whole world. Our Lord clearly expresses this in His messages to the Seven Churches of Asia in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation. In this Introduction I would like to focus on the Fifth Church the Church of Sardis in Chapter Three. This message clearly shows that there can be a great danger in believing we are alive in Spirit; but are found, by God, to be dead. We are admonished to, Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die; for I have not found thy work perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:2-3; (emphasis, editor) Strong s Exhaustive Concordance has some interesting things to say about that word, watch/watchful. It comes from #1127 in Strong s Greek Dictionary, and means, to keep awake, in other words, watch, literally or figuratively. 3

4 It is translated in other New Testament scriptures as: be vigilant, wake, watch, and, be watchful. It has its roots in Strong s #1453, which is a Greek word akin to #58, through the idea of collecting one s faculties. This word means to waken. In other words rouse (literally or figuratively) from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, and from death. Figuratively, it means to rouse, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, and nonexistence. That is a lot to chew on as we relate these scriptures and the following dreams and visions to our own personal lives. God is giving a very important warning to each of us in the positive sense, and, in the negative sense (which we definitely want to avoid)! In the following pages, you will read a combination of expressions that, hopefully, will stir within you a deeper desire to begin, or renew a continuous walk in God s presence. You will read how God dealt with me in various ways to instill a cry for the lost, a challenge to ask God to stir up the gift within me, to search the scriptures, and, to open my eyes to the literal signs of the times. In the last forty-six years of my life I have had prayer walking journeys all across the face of the earth from the Arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and Northern Siberia (the region of the reindeer shepherds) and Southern Siberia (from Manchuria and the Island of Sakhalin, which is 100 miles north of the Japanese Island of Hokkaido), to the deserts and wilderness areas of Phoenix, Arizona and the Middle East (from Egypt to Turkey); and there have been many points in between. And I was moved to go to these places with a passion that was deeply instilled by these visions. At times when my life was in great distress of soul and spirit, it was The Vision of The Smelting Pot that encouraged me. When my heart was searching for some definition to better understand God s ultimate plan for the destiny of the Church, He gave me The Three Camps Vision. And the lessons that I have learned throughout my life have been greatly enhanced by the details of these experiences. In the personal working out of my own salvation, with fear and trembling, before the Lord, I have always reminded myself that whatever tests come my way especially the small and seemingly insignificant ones, will ultimately determine how well I do when the big tests hit. Faithfulness in the small tests determines your readiness for the big and final ones. He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much. Luke 16:10-a (KJV) Preparation is key to success, and our lives depend on how we take every area of our lives before the Lord learning how to hear His will in the matter. These visions have come to me as I would wake myself up in desperation before the Lord, asking Him for answers to the circumstances or test I was in. We have always heard that one picture is worth a thousand words. So, when God promises to give visions, we need to act on that promise and express our desire to receive them. As you read these visions, it is our desire that you will see the inner workings of God for yourselves, as individuals; and for the Church in its preparation to face the challenges in this world in winning the lost to Jesus. We have faced many tests that would have toppled us very quickly, but because the Lord could see our faith was exercised and strong enough for the challenge, He could determine that we would stand true and by this we would be faithful and mature in our walk. It is with this vision and understanding that I have written these visions down, in hope that the Church might be also challenged to wake up to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches. Now, as we publish this book, we pass this on to the Church, hoping for good fruit. Every blessing from the Spirit of the Lord as you read Cross+Wise Visions of a Walker. Henry & Judith Gruver THE WORD OF THE LORD LET IT NOT TROUBLE THY HEART MY STRENGTH SHALL BE REVEALED Received by Henry Gruver June 3, 1982 My people are a people upon whom I have kept Mine eyes; 4

5 And if all the kings of the earth set themselves in array against My anointed... My children, I would admonish thee this night, concerning the things that are soon to come upon the earth. LET IT NOT TROUBLE THY HEART. LET IT NOT TROUBLE THY SPIRIT. LET IT NOT CAUSE THEE TO DESPAIR. Let it not cause thee to enter into fear or into dismay; But let it cause thy heart to rejoice; in that I have revealed unto thee beforehand, the things that are coming upon the earth, that thy heart might be prepared. No, not to prepare thyself and brace thyself in the flesh; but to prepare thyself, and brace thyself in the Spirit. Behold thy armor about thee. Behold thy shield before thee. Hold thy sword about in thy hand. Be ready to wield it and yield it powerfully in Me. For I will move mightily through thee. It is My desire to move through thy hand. It is my desire to move by My Spirit through the might that I will pour into thy spirit. For My children, the days that are ahead in thyself and in thine own spirit and own flesh thou wouldst fall to the earth Weak and trembling so weak that thou wouldst sit and lay in dismay day and night, saying, I never thought it would be this way. But My children, if you will enter into the rest, and into the strength that I have prepared for thee, thou shalt stand when others are falling. Thou shalt run when others cannot even crawl. Thou shalt leap when others cannot even stand on their feet. Thou shalt run and not be weary. Thou shalt walk and not faint. My children wait upon Me and look unto Me; and I will pour strength into thee, that thou shalt be able to stand and be of strength to those that have fallen. Stand before Me, My children, and be strong in the power of My might. For I am ready to unleash before the face of this earth My strength and My power and My majesty. For many of the earth have said, There is no longer a God. There is no God of strength and might and miracles; for He is dead. But I say unto thee, My people, I am about to stand on the land and on the sea, and show the power and the might of My Spirit through My people. 5

6 And they shall no longer say to themselves, Where is the one that troubled the nation? For they shall know where he is; and they shall no longer say it again in their hearts, their spirits, or in their minds; But they shall tremble and become faint in My power; and MY STRENGTH SHALL BE REVEALED AGAIN," saith the LORD. CHAPTER ONE THE SAMURAI VISION Given to Henry Gruver Fall of 1960 Phoenix, Arizona I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. Hosea 12:10 (KJV) At this time in my life, my heart s desire was to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to receive the gift of speaking with other tongues. It was still a few years before the Charismatic movement began; but the time was just around the corner when people would be filled so quickly that there would be no emphasis at all on waiting (or, tarrying) on God, and seeking the infilling, as the scriptures relate it in Acts 1:4. However, my teaching was still to tarry at the altar until we were filled. So, after many long hours of being at the altar, with tears flowing, and crying out for the baptism, the Lord evidently put me in the category of the petitioner in the Parable of the Unjust Judge. (Luke 18:1-8.) My time had come. As I stood up to leave the church, the power of God hit me, causing me to fall down backwards. [Some now call that being slain in the Spirit.] As I went down on my back, I could still see myself standing at the altar, crying and begging for the baptism. Then the Lord spoke to me, and said, Look at yourself and listen to what you are saying. I looked at myself and began to understand, as the Lord explained, It is a free gift. You don t have to beg for it. Just begin to give thanks, and let your tongue speak out as the Holy Spirit speaks through you. I got up and left the church to drive my friend home so that he could get ready for the evening church service. On the way to his house I began explaining the experience I had just had back at the church, when all of a sudden my tongue began to feel thick, and I could not speak clearly, but began to stammer. My friend excitedly pointed at me, and said, That s the Holy Ghost, Henry! Just let go!" I immediately pulled over into a parking lot and was lifting both hands as high as I could towards heaven, trying to express my deep love for Jesus, when I began to speak fluently in a tongue that to my ears sounded like Chinese. THE VISION BEGINS I was caught up into a vision that I would ponder for many years. In this vision I was standing in a valley, surrounded by mountains which formed a very large punchbowl, like a natural amphitheater. I could see millions of people in all directions, all the way to the top of the mountains. They were listening to me preach in their language, as I slowly turned, in a continuous circle. The words would go out of my mouth as though I was speaking through a massive public address system. Yet I held no microphone, nor could I see any speakers. As I was speaking, I began to notice a very large man in a strange looking warrior s uniform, who was pressing his way down the mountain, pushing people out of his way as he came. When he approached, I could hear his threatening words about how his sword would take off my head. However, as he came up to me, I just kept preaching. Then I reached down with one hand, took him by the ankle, and lifted him above my head! I continued preaching as though nothing strange had happened. Then his voice changed from mutterings and threatenings to a broken and trembling plea as he spoke these words, "Your God is the Almighty God! Let me down 6

7 and I will worship Him only!" So, I just set him down and he laid his sword on the ground and began to weep. As I gave an invitation, thousands came forward to receive Jesus, and the vision ended. This experience was so wonderful that I didn t even realize the sun had gone down, and we were sitting there in the dark. The windows of my car all steamed up so that you couldn t see outside. All of a sudden red lights began flashing, and a spotlight was shining at the car. My friend and I heard someone saying, Who s in there? What s going on? I rolled down my window and found myself staring face to face with a police officer. With a voice full of deep joy I exclaimed, We are! And I just got filled with the Holy Ghost! He looked at me and replied, You are parked across the lines here. There is no labor meeting going on now, but your car caught my attention, so I thought I d investigate. I can see there is no problem, except you had better change your left front tire it s flat. The officer left and I changed the tire, rejoicing with a full heart. Then we went straight back to the church, as the evening meeting had already started. I pondered the vision many times through the years, and thought, perhaps, the vision was being fulfilled in the late 70 s and through the 80 s, as we worked with the chaplain of Christian Harbor for Seafarers in Portland, Oregon. Chaplain Mike McGrady was (and still continues to be*) a very dear man, full of holy boldness and love for Jesus. During those wonderful years we served and ministered to Oriental people from many different Asian nations as they brought cargo into our docks. As those years passed we counted thousands of decisions for Jesus as Savior. [* Editor: Chaplain Mike has since been called to Glory.] Then instead of the foreign nations coming to us, God called me to begin going to the foreign nations. I would hear the cries of the people of distant lands; and many long nights of prayer were invested as the Lord began dealing with my wife and me about go ye into all the world. I fought the call so hard in those days. We now had just had our thirteenth child, and we were seeing so many come to Jesus on the merchant ships. We were distributing over 44,000 Bibles per year and witnessing to an average of 300 souls per month. I questioned, How could I see any more fruit than this, anywhere else? However, the call and its urgency increased and I began going out walking and praying foreign cities in Europe, the Middle East, then Alaska and to the natives and Eskimos of the Arctic regions, and finally to southern Siberia. NOW THE VISION COMES And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it; because it shall surely come it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2, 3 (KJV) Thirty-two years later, in 1992, God began to fulfill the vision while I was at the lower end of Sakhalin Island, which is a part of southern Siberia and controlled by Russia. I pointed across the sea, because I heard cries in my spiritual ears, and asked my interpreter, What country is in that direction? China? No, not China, he replied, Japan. One hundred miles away is the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Later in the trip I was along the border of Manchuria, China. Again, I heard cries. Again, I asked my interpreter, What country is over those mountains in that direction? Again, my interpreter informed me, Beyond those mountains, across the sea, is Japan. I thought it would be Mainland China. Pointing in the opposite direction, he told me, China is that way. These two instances really troubled me. In the vision of 1960 I thought I was talking to Chinese people. Now I wondered, Why am I hearing the cries of Japan? I could go right across the border into China now; yet my heart is being stirred for Japan. "... wait for it; for it shall surely come... In 1995, three years later, I was interviewed on Trinity Broadcasting Network s local station in Portland, Oregon. Yumiko Ban, the wife of Tatsuya Ban, was watching the program that morning. Normally she didn t watch at that time, plus, she and Tatsuya had an especially busy day and night already planned. It was youth ministry night at their church in Lake Oswego, a suburb south of Portland. Her heart was stirred as she listened to the interview and she made note of when and where I would be speaking that night. When her husband came home she encouraged him with the thought that they should go to the meeting and hear this man speak. They both said later that it was truly remarkable for them not to go to the youth meeting and to go somewhere else. Many obstacles were in their path; but they went to the church in Vancouver, Washington across the Columbia River from Portland to hear me speak. The meeting wasn t scheduled in the sanctuary of the church, but in the basement. They persevered and finally found those that were already gathered. They knew no one there; except the Holy Spirit Who was directing it all. 7

8 After the meeting Tatsuya contacted me about transcribing and translating some of the taped testimonies. He had a contact in Japan with the editor of "Revival Magazine, and thought the publications would be appropriate for the monthly publication. I agreed, and Tatsuya and Yumiko went right to work. This was the opening of the door of ministry in Japan... though my heart was still waiting for the door to open in China.... it shall surely come! Our first ministry trip to Japan was in late September through October 10th of Many Japanese were convinced that I was especially called to Japan. I was not fully convinced until the second trip in May of 1996, which brought a vivid confirmation and clarification of the 1960 vision. During a break in the ministry time I was taken to The Japanese War Museum in Tokyo. As we entered I stopped in front of the first display and exclaimed, What s that?! My interpreter, Tetsuya Kazama, explained, That is a Samurai warrior in his full uniform. I countered with, What is a Chinese warrior doing in a Japanese war museum? Politely chuckling, he answered, He isn t Chinese, he is Japanese. I was shocked as I tried to comprehend what was happening to my own understanding and said to Tetsuya, He looks just like the big man I lifted up above my head as I preached in the vision of 1960! Tetsuya patiently replied, He is definitely Japanese. Still shaking my head, I murmured, Then all these years I had thought my call was to China; but it really was to Japan! A trembling was in me as we walked out of the museum, while I told Tetsuya and the Ban s the whole vision. They helped me to understand why the mighty warrior would swing his powerful sword to cut me as I held him above my head and continued preaching. In order to cut me he would have had to bend or bow to me; and he would have been disgraced. However, as the Gospel was being preached, he was humbled for salvation. We have completed many missions to Japan with some most awesome results, and we are seeing a real fire in the hearts of the people of Japan to walk and redeem their land for Jesus. CHAPTER TWO VISION: DAD'S APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH Bible School Days 1962 It is of the Lord s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22, 23 (KJV); emphasis, editor s. Time and distance are not barriers to the Lord s intercession and intervention. One afternoon, in my second year of Bible School, as I was ready to go to bed and get a little sleep before going to work that evening, I had a vision of my dad. He was back in Phoenix, 1,100 miles away, driving down US Highway 17; and his car was approaching the Indian School Road crossing. I saw a large diesel semi-truck and trailer passing him on the left. Just as it pulled alongside of Dad s car, the driver turned the rig into the right lane. This left Dad with no room to maneuver to another lane, and not enough time to brake, slow down and drop back; so he moved over and swerved up on the curb, heading straight for the concrete wall and bridge at the crossing. As the vision continued, I saw his car hit the wall; and the impact blew out the back window and sent Dad s Bible flying out into the freeway. The last scene in the vision showed the car turned over, vehicles swerving to avoid it, and Dad s open Bible lying in the outside lane as its pages blew in the wind. As the vision ended, I found myself on my knees, crying out to God; and then looking up at the clock on the wall, because I wanted to make a note of the date and precise time of day. In two weeks there would be a break from school and I was looking forward to going 8

9 home and asking Dad what happened to him at the time of the vision. When I finished noting the time, I crawled back into bed, and with great peace and assurance, fell into a sound sleep. The two weeks passed quickly; and I soon found myself at home with Mom and Dad for the holidays. We finished with the formalities of conversation concerning How are you? How was the trip? How has your health been? And then I asked Dad, Where were you a week ago last Tuesday at 3:45 in the afternoon; and what happened? He stood there, shifting from one leg to the other, Let s see; a week ago Tuesday, at 3:45... Mother broke in and explained, Why, Dad, that s the day you came home so thankful to be alive; and told me about the truck crowding you off the road, leaving you headed for the concrete wall! I said, Dad? at the same time as he replied to Mother, That s right. Why, Junior? Dad, that was at the Indian School Road crossing wasn t it?" Why, Junior, it sure was; and the skid marks are still there today; but, you know; I saw a big hand come down and move that truck over just before I would have hit the concrete wall and the crossing bridge. We three rejoiced and wept together as I told them about my vision. God is so good. Truly, neither distance nor time hinders His mercies that are new every morning. Hallelujah! CHAPTER THREE VISION: THE POWER OF TRAVAIL Received by Henry Gruver Bible School Days, 1961 or 62 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,... Galatians 4:19 (KJV) The first time I experienced travailing in prayer was while I was still in Bible College. David Wilkerson had just seen Nicky Cruz come to the Lord from the street gangs of New York City; and they had come to Dallas to share about the new work of Teen Challenge that David Wilkerson was establishing. He had been learning, straight from the hands of the Holy Spirit about the power of travail that the Apostle Paul is speaking about in Galatians, Chapter Four. My mind could hardly fathom the thought that souls could be brought forth in such a manner as they described. When CROSS+Wise The Journal of a Walker is completed and published you will be able to read for yourself some of the wonderful conversions I had seen on the streets of Phoenix. But, as I heard David and Nicky share, I knew I had never experienced what they were talking about. Their testimonies continued to challenge me as I left the chapel service; and although I thought I had a vision for the salvation of souls, my spirit felt barren compared to the glimpse I had just received. When I got home, God gave me a vision of a group of us sitting on a big boulder beside a very small stream. Suddenly, in the vision, I began to cry out for an inner vision and an understanding of the value of a soul. As I cried, the scene opened up on a fuller scale and I could see the small stream being cut off. It looked as it would if you took a big knife and cut off a slice of the earth. From that view I could see the small stream flowing towards a waterfall that took the stream s water into the unseen deep. I could see the water turning into silver droplets as it fell off the waterfall into the darkness; and I heard screams of torment and fear coming from the drops as they hopelessly fell into the abyss. While I was witnessing this, my innermost being wrenched and groaned for those precious souls. Then I noticed, as I submitted myself to that intense intercession, the dam would rise up higher, cutting off the waters from falling into the dark emptiness. As the Spirit of God was stirring my heart, I continued groaning. I had never experienced such intense pressure on my diaphragm and my entire physical body before. Everything within me pushed to bring forth their salvation and keep them, and others, from dropping off into that eternal darkness. Each time I travailed, the dam rose a little higher, until we were all standing on the boulder with hands lifted up and the waters rising higher and higher until they flowed over the canyon, out across the earth. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Revelation 19:14 (KJV); emphasis, editor s. 9

10 Then I saw a glistening white castle with a golden pavement coming from it. Out from the castle grounds, along that golden path, came an array of the most beautiful white horses I had ever seen. I immediately thought of the Lord coming with His ten thousand, riding across the earth! CHAPTER FOUR VISION: IN THE HANDS OF THE MASTER SMELTER Received by Henry Gruver November, 1967 The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 (KJV) As the refining pot for silver and the furnace for gold [bringing forth all the impurities of the metal], so let a man be in his trial of praise [ridding himself of all that is base or insincere; for a man is judged by what he praises and of what he boasts]. Proverbs 27:21 (Amplified Version) He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests... and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness. Malachi 3:3 (Amplified Version) In November of 1967 I was in the middle of a great trial; and one night, as I was crying out to the Lord, while suffering great anguish of spirit, I saw a vision of a massive smelting pot filled with raw ore. As it reached the melting point, I could see the rocks settling down into the molten ore. This all happened very quickly as the vision unfolded before my eyes. I understood by the Spirit that it was my job to watch that ore. Not only was I observing this scene; but somehow I was also a part of it. I knew that there was a lesson to learn from what was being shown to me in that furnace room. As the vision unfolded, the ore began settling down; while excitement and anticipation arose in my spirit. I did not know why I was experiencing those feelings, or what might be going to take place; but, nonetheless, I was excited. Then, I couldn t see the raw ore anymore because the scum was coming to the top. It looked like a horrible film surfacing; and something inside me was repulsed by its appearance. With that sight before my eyes, an anguished scream came out of me; and I heard myself crying out to God, "Turn off the fire! It s too hot! It s too hot! I can t take it! Turn it off! I was no longer an onlooker but a participant. I was the pot with molten ore; and I was experiencing more pain and agony than I ever thought I could stand! While screaming out, I saw a hot sweaty hand, with protruding blood vessels, come down and turn off the valve to the fire. Even though all I saw was the hand, I knew that it belonged to a workman that was a master at what he was doing. My spirit understood that he had a determination to see this process through to its completion. As the flames were extinguished, the ore cooled; and I began to personally experience relief and great satisfaction of spirit, because the flames no longer engulfed the pot. I felt that I could endure the battle once again, as the melting ore cooled and formed a hard crust on its top. My spirit was satisfied; but I had no idea what was about to take place. Then I saw two hands, one with a chisel, and one with a hammer. The hammer came down with great force on the chisel; and when the chisel hit that crust, to tear away the impurities, it was as if my whole body shook with pain; and that pain was worse than the pain of the fire! I screamed in anguish again to God, Oh God, turn the fire back on! That was better than this chisel and hammer! Forgive me for asking you to turn off the fire. Forgive me, oh God! As that chisel just kept chipping away at the crust, my body convulsed in agony from the pain. Cries poured forth from my soul and body pleading for mercy and begging forgiveness for my complaints about the fire. I could see the sweaty hands of the workman, who was determined to remove the impurities from the ore. I was aware that by one way or another, he was going to see the task through to the finish. There were no other options; so he continued chipping away at the 10

11 surface scum of the pot. He knew that the ore must be freed from all that wasn t completely refined. If it was going to be accomplished by hammer and chisel, or by the refiner s fire, it didn t stop him from his mission. It was at this point that I clearly understood there was no other way out for me. This was The Refiner s Fire. It was not the Devil s work; but the Father s Hand on the fire in my life. My mind brought to remembrance that I had previously given the Lord permission to invade my life with whatever it would take; because I wanted to come forth as gold. I knew that I must pass this test; and now my desire was to cooperate with the Master Workman s mission. I, too, wanted to see that ore cleansed by fire; and not by the hammer and chisel. Suddenly the chisel broke through the hard crust revealing gold underneath the slag! I had been unable to see the gold in the ore until then. Then the hand came back down and turned on the fire. It seemed to me as if it was an eternity as I longingly waited, desiring to see up close the area that the chisel had broken away. This would now become a test of patience in my life. My desire was to be cleansed immediately; but the Master knew this process could not be hurried. It had to be completed in proper timing so that the ore wouldn t have to go through the partial process over and over again. Only He knew how hot and how long the fire must burn to bring the impurities to the top. Finally I could detect movement, like a shaking, over the top of the ore, and the chiseled areas that had revealed the gold closed back over. I began to get excited because I realized the time of the purification was near. Sure enough, when that area closed in, and the ripples came over the top, the Hand reappeared with a wide instrument like a scraper. It dropped down on the top of that ore, and with one clean sweep all of the sludge was removed. I was amazed how quickly the process ended once it reached that point. The ore that was revealed was crystalline clear. Its color was a golden-cherry red, through which one could see straight to the bottom, because it was so pure and transparent. Through the vision the Lord gave me clear understanding of what Paul was talking about in Romans, Chapter 7, verse 13, when he talked about sin being exceedingly sinful. My Father in heaven was showing me that the sin in my life had become exceedingly sinful and grievous to Him. Up to this time in my life, much of my crying, groaning, praying and travailing, while striving against sin, was only because the sin was grievous to me, personally. I had not yet seen how much it grieved the heart of my heavenly Father. That was my transgression. Unknowingly, by my own will, I had tried to cleanse the impurities in my life. What I didn t realize was, that they were being pressed deeper into my spirit and just hiding. Then, in my times of weakness or affliction, they would resurface, causing me to say, Where are these thoughts and deeds coming from? I thought they had been dealt with and eliminated. Prior to the vision I had not yet seen my sins and weaknesses as my Father sees them. Now I understood that the refining process was no longer a threat of painful punishment, but rather the Father s opportunity to remove the impurities that sin had built up in my life. The vision assured me of His careful observation of my every need while in the refining process; and that He will give me all the grace I need, every time it is needed. I became confident that I could trust both His Heart and His Hands on my life, knowing that He will do whatever it takes to refine me; so that I can be of greater service to Him. CHAPTER FIVE VISION: THE CAMP OF THE LORD By Henry Gruver Received in August of 1969 THE FIRST CAMP When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child... Corinthians 13:11 (KJV) In this vision, it was a moonlit night. An angel, who was slowly moving through the heavens, was carrying me while I was looking down upon the earth. The angel cradled me in his left arm and was using his right hand to point out those things he was commissioned to show me. I could not see him, since he was above me; but I could feel him holding me. We came over the crest of a promontory into some hill country. I found myself looking out ahead as far as I could, trying to get a preview of what was coming up next. As we passed the brow of the first hill, I began to hear the rattling of cans and the laughter and playfulness of children. My senses became alarmed. The first sign of life I was encountering seemed to be some sort of playful activity. I began to wonder what was going on. As I continued looking ahead, trying to see, little blotches of color became visible down in the valley. They turned out to be tents some stood alone, and others, in little clusters. They were not in any definite order; the people seemed to have put them up wherever 11

12 they chose, as a camper might pitch his tent under a tree or on the banks of a river. As I looked out over these tents, which were scattered every which way across the valley, I could see bonfires burning in the midst of each of the little clusters of tents. These fires were of varying sizes. Some were small, while some roared way up in the air, as the people kept fueling them. There were different activities going on around each of the fires. I was surprised to discover that all of the people in this valley were adults, because they were playing like children. One group seemed to be playing Kick the Can. In another area, I could see, by the light of their fire, a mound was nearby, and those people were playing King of the Hill. They kept knocking one another off that mound, until the one who could resist all the rest became the King. They used brute force in that camp, in their battle so to speak, for top dog position. When I looked at still another group, I thought. My goodness, look at that one! Their bonfire was not huge, but it had a good strong flame. In this camp, everyone had a stick, and was putting the ends of their sticks in the fire. When they got them burning, they would wave these flaming sticks around in the air, making all kinds of designs and smoke trails, similar to what a child might do with a sparkler on the Fourth of July. All the activities in these various camps reminded me of games that I had played as a child. While I watched all this, I thought, I did all those things as a child. So, why are these adults acting like children? The moment that thought came to me, a Voice spoke from above me. It was not the angel s voice; I knew His voice, because He would speak softly to me from time to time as we traveled. This Voice was deeper and more authoritative, and it said, This is not My camp. Move on. This was in It was right around the time when the Full Gospel Businessmen s Fellowship and the Charismatic Movement were just beginning. At the same time, there was a new wave of immorality sweeping the nation and the world. It was a time of, I m okay; you re okay; Everything is beautiful; Tune in, turn on, drop out; and so on. It was the beginning of a new era in which everybody was going to be free to do whatever was right in their own eyes. In any event, we moved on, as the Voice had told us to do. I continued watching these adults who were playing like kids, as the angel carried me on toward the crest of another hill. As we got closer to the brow of that hill, the sounds of playful children faded away, and I began to hear different sounds coming from the other side of the hill. My attention and my gaze focused on what was happening in this next valley. While I strained to see over the crest of the hill, I wondered, What is going on there? I remember glancing up over my left arm and seeing the moon in the heavens. It was a full moon, or nearly so, and I remember thinking, I do not see any stars, but that moon certainly is bright! When I looked down, I could see the terrain below very well by the light of that moon. THE SECOND CAMP...but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I Corinthians 13: 11 As the new sounds grew louder, they drew my attention back again to the crest of the approaching hill. Finally, we crested that hill, and I could look down into the next valley. All over this valley, too, there were tents; but these were not arranged haphazardly, as in the previous valley. These people had not put their tents anywhere they pleased. They were in formation, and there was order in this valley. The people had all gathered in their separate encampments and were having meetings. Different individuals were ministering to them and admonishing them. These people were conducting themselves more like adults. It was that way throughout the entire valley; but each group kept to themselves, sticking to their own little camp. I later realized that camp must have represented sectarianism and denominationalism things that were prevalent back in the 60 s, and even more so, in the 70 s, when "discipleship came into popularity. Everybody kept quite strictly to the confines of their own particular order. We stopped briefly to look at this. I noticed that as the admonishments were going on, and the commands were being given in the various camps, some individuals began to look heavenward. They looked as if they had caught a heavenly vision; and they got up and walked right out of their camps. Each one had a little hobo knapsack over his shoulder a small bundle tied up in a red handkerchief attached to a stick "Huck Finn style. It was the only thing each one took with them. They just walked right out of those camps with their eyes fixed on still another hill in the distance. Away they went, with these sticks over their shoulders, heading off to climb that next hill. We began following those adults with their knapsacks. This time, the Voice from above did not say this was not His camp. He simply said, "It is time to move on. I remember thinking, This is interesting. Where are those people going? They seemed totally enthralled and their whole being was completely absorbed with getting over that hill and into that next valley. As the angel and I moved on ever so slowly, it seemed to 12

13 me. I continued watching these people. When they reached the crest of the hill, they would suddenly stop dead in their tracks for a moment, before disappearing over the horizon. Whatever they were seeing down in that next valley caused them to pause, take the little knapsack off their shoulder, and lay it down. They did not even look at it again, or seem to take any thought at all of what they were doing. They would just lay it aside, and begin walking down into that valley with what they were, not with what they had. As I watched them, a great, burning desire came into my heart for the Lord to hurry! I wanted to be a part of whatever they were experiencing. I knew something wonderful was happening in that third valley, as I thought, What could it be? THE THIRD CAMP Therefore, My people shall know in that Day that I AM He that doth speak... Isaiah 52:6 (KJV) When we came to the crest of the hill, where I could look down into that valley, I saw more tents, neatly arranged in four groups. Together these four groups of tents formed a large square encampment. The four groups were set up in each of the four corners of this camp one each toward the north, south, east and west. The people who were coming into this valley would go down and join with those in one of the four groupings of tents. In each of the four corners of the encampment, I saw people marching in order. They had on their armor, and they were marching to the commands of officers. They formed a beautiful and well-ordered army. The officers gave the commands, "Right face! Left face! About face! With each command, the ranks of soldiers instantly complied. It was a beautiful thing to behold, because they were marching in such perfect formation, and with such crisp precision. They did not break their ranks, or get out of step. They remained in the four corners of the camp. As I watched them march, I thought, Wow, I want to be a part of that! Then I noticed something else. I had not seen this at first, but in the center of this large square or diamond-shaped encampment, there was another army marching. There were no tents, however, in this inner area, and I believe the area had been empty when I had first beheld the valley. In other words, the group of people who marched in that inner sanctum must have come there at some point after the four groups of armies in the four corners began marching. This inner sanctum army was even more beautiful than the armies in the four corners. The countenances of the soldiers in this army were lit up, and they were beautiful marchers. As I watched them, my heart burned with envy. I heard no voice commanding them. I realized that they had no commanding officer. It was as though God had turned down the volume on the voices of those in the four corners, so I could hear the silence that was emanating from that inner sanctum army. I said, Lord, they have no commander! How do they know when to go right face, left face, about face, and so forth? The Lord said, They have learned to know My voice, and they march only at My bidding. Notice, that there are no leaders in that group except those who are in the forefront. Then there may be an about face, and those who have been leading will become followers. When it is right face, the ones on the right will become the leaders; when it is about face, again, those who were on the left will become leaders. As all these armies were marching, those out on the four corners would occasionally come into close proximity to the marchers in the inner sanctum. Whenever that happened, a radiance would go out from the army in the middle, into the armies in the four corners; it seemed to set them on fire. As this continued to happen, the radiance began to affect some of those in the perimeter armies, and they would break off from their units and join with the inner sanctum army. I watched, in amazement, as they seemed to blend right in. They did not go back and forth looking for positions in that inner square there was none of that. Whenever the corner marchers would touch those in the inner square, some of them would simply flow right in. They slipped right into their places so beautifully and effortlessly, that there seemed to be no transition. I could not tell when it was about to happen, and I could not tell when it happened. It just happened. Looking back on the vision, I especially recall the glow on the faces of the soldiers in the inner sanctum army. It was clearly visible on their faces, although it was nighttime. However, I know that I could not see this glow emanating from the inner sanctum marchers until I had first observed the formation and order of the four outer armies. I realized that all of those in the four marching groups must have come from the second valley. I do not recall seeing any of those who had been playing like children in that first valley ever go over into the second valley. In addition, those who marched in the four perimeter armies seemed to be unaware of the presence of those marching in the inner sanctum. They did not cast longing or envious glances toward those in the center, for they were busy coming into a discipline. They were learning to keep their eyes and hearts totally fixed on the Lord, by giving instant obedience to the orders of their commanding officers. In other words, they were obeying the Supreme Commander the Lord by obeying His human vessels, who were inspired by His Spirit. It was actually a perfect demonstration of the way the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 should operate in the church, for the perfecting of the saints something that has rarely been exhibited in any consistent fashion in the church. 13

14 These outer armies did not render obedience unto their officers because they held them in high esteem, as was the case with those in the second valley. They were not comparing themselves to one another. They were giving their obedience as unto the Lord. They responded to every command as if it were the Lord Himself giving it. Their hearts were totally focused on the Lord; they were consumed with a hunger and a desire to please Him. As for the inner army, the glow on their countenances came from within them, and it shone outwardly. I believe they may not even have known the day or the hour when they became a part of that final army. I believe that is the way it will be for those who actually do become a part of the Lord s final, end-time army. One day, they will look back and say to themselves, When did I start this? I have not been able to do anything unless I see my Father do it, or hear my Father s voice telling me to do it. That He [Christ] might present it [the Church] to Himself, a 'glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27 (KJV); editor s inserts. I believe that will be the glorious church without spot or wrinkle. This is the Bride, adorned and beautiful, waiting for the Bridegroom. She is spoken for and betrothed. Even in these days, before the marriage is consummated, she does not want to be away from His presence, even for a moment. She will know when that consummation takes place. Then she and her Bridegroom will genuinely become joined together as one; they will be bone and flesh of one another. Presently, I do not believe there is anyone in that inner group, but I do believe there are many marching in the four corners. I believe the Lord has spoken this to me, This is the season to just keep marching. Keep your eyes on Me. Let it be the burning desire of your heart to see Me, and to worship Me every minute that you are able. Look to Me for every instruction; listen to Me for confirmation. Look into My Word to see what is there, and long to be one with Me. If you are doing that, then one of these days, you will simply shift into that next realm. Those in the second valley will not come over into the third until they have allowed the Lord to give them a revelation of how exceedingly grievous sin is to Him. They will not enter the Holy of holies in that second valley. They may sing songs about it; and may have seasons when they feel so close to the Lord they are sure it is going to happen. However, the leaders will eventually cut if off and change the order. This type of leader is not leading his people to look toward the Lord. These leaders are not teaching their people to want the Lord to be everything to them. They are still protecting their own turf, their job security. It will not happen until they come out of that second valley and go into the third. The issue is obedience. As far as I am concerned, that is what the inner circle is all about. I believe that when you are marching under commanders and receiving their nurture and admonition directly from the Lord, it is developing you. It is turning your face and your desires heavenward, to that place where you will be completely consumed with love for the Lord. Doing His good pleasure will become the goal of your life, no matter what it costs you physically or socially. Your obedience to the Lord will become Number One. I believe that is happening right now; and the Lord is getting ready to shift many people into that inner circle. Once it starts, that circle will be quickly filled. CHAPTER SIX VISION: THE PORTLAND EARTHQUAKE Received by Henry Gruver Portland, Oregon November, 1974 My mind was fully occupied with thoughts of final preparations for moving my family down from the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington area to Phoenix, Arizona. My body was occupied with driving our car and pulling the empty trailer back home to begin loading it. I was heading north, traveling across the newly finished, double-decked Fremont Bridge, which gave a clear view of Portland from its lofty heights. It was designed and constructed to enable huge tankers and other ocean going vessels, as well as tallmasted sailing vessels to move under it without the need for a drawbridge. The city and the river were below me, with Mount Hood to the east, forming a breathtaking backdrop for Portland with its crystal white peak. 14